v1c returns to Cloud9's active roster as Notexxd is moved to the bench

Cloud9’s roster moves seem inevitable at this point, as Victor "v1c" Truong is returning to the roster after being replaced by Jaden "Notexxd" Anderson on the active lineup following a poor performance at the VALORANT Champions Tour 2026 - Americas Kickoff,

The move has shaken fans, who are concerned about how the Cloud9 roster is being managed.

Those Cloud9 roster moves are a total mess

Notexxd was brought into the Cloud9 VALORANT roster after he delivered strong performances in the VCL 2026 - North America: Stage 1 with QoR, where the team even managed to secure a championship. At the time, Cloud9 were not doing particularly well in the VALORANT Champions Tour, as they finished the Kickoff in sixth place, a disappointing result for an organization with their history.

The young rookie joined the team at the very end of VALORANT Champions Tour 2026 - Americas Stage 1 while C9 underwent a major shakeup, as Erik "penny" Penny was benched for Jack "Jackk" Foote and Erick "Xeppaa" Bach later decided to leave the team. It was clearly not an easy situation for a rookie player in his first year in Tier 1, and that showed.

In the end, Cloud9’s Stage 1 was a total mess, as they finished in 11th to 12th place, a far worse result than their Kickoff run. Despite giving the young players little time to find their form, the management decided to undo some of the changes they had made during the year and bring v1c back to the roster.

Fans’ disappointment did not take long to show, as the move is being heavily criticized under the official announcement, and reasonably so. This move highlights the poor management Cloud9 have shown throughout the year, and things do not seem to be improving for them. VALORANT Champions Tour 2026 - Americas Stage 2 looks like a difficult run for the team, as they enter it with limited expectations.

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Featured Image Credit: Tina Jo/Riot Games